1 in 5 Heavy Vehicles in Islamabad Fail Emission Test
Following the release of the “Consolidated Report on Vehicular Emission Monitoring and National Environmental Quality Standards (NEQS) Compliance within Islamabad Capital Territory” on 2nd November, officials have noted that rapid urbanisation, industrialisation, and the large number of vehicles operating in the city have significantly contributed to the challenge of air pollution.
21 violators were fined, while 3 vehicles were impounded for severe violations. The owners were instructed to carry out immediate repairs to meet NEQS’ limits.
Enforcement and Vehicle Inspection Results
According to the report, nearly 20%, i.e., one in five, HTVs tested within the capital territory fail to meet the national emission standards. The test included 100 heavy-duty vehicles, including aging diesel trucks, long-haul trailers, loaders, and diesel passenger buses, all of which were found to emit enough pollutants to violate the national emission standards.
Notably, several of the non-compliant vehicles belonged to both public and private sector organisations, which Dr Abbas deemed a “systematic neglect of vehicle maintenance and environmental responsibility”.
The report recommends a thorough review of the current vehicle fitness certification system, imploring federal authorities to align their standards with NEQ’s standards to ensure consistent enforcement across inspection centres and workshops.
While the findings highlight a pressing concern, it is essential to note that the limited sample size may not reflect Islamabad’s overall compliance with heavy-duty vehicle fleet regulations.
Regardless, with Islamabad’s AQI frequently exceeding safe limits (PM2.5 levels reaching over 150 µg/m³ on some days), vehicular emissions from diesel engines are an increasingly critical public health concern.
Root Causes and Air Quality Impact
According to Mohammad Saleem Shaikh, spokesperson for the Ministry of Climate Change and Environmental Coordination, the main reasons for non-compliance include:
- Poor engine condition
- Inadequate maintenance
- Use of sub-standard diesel fuel
He highlighted ageing diesel-fuelled heavy vehicles as major contributors to smog and respiratory illnesses in Islamabad, calling them the “single largest emitter of black carbon and particulate matter” in the city.
This particular enforcement campaign, which lasted a week and concluded on 30th October 2025, was supervised by Pak-EPA General Nazia Zeb Ali, with field teams led by Deputy Director Dr Zaigham Abbas, who stated that the “findings underscore the need for stricter monitoring and more frequent inspections of diesel-powered vehicles.”
Policy Recommendations and Future Plans
DG Nazia Ali reaffirmed Pak-EPA’s commitment to reducing carbon emissions and vehicular pollution, and announced that similar emission-monitoring drives would be carried out regularly.
Stating that “clean air is a fundamental right” and that “Ensuring compliance with environmental standards is … essential for protecting public health and preserving Islamabad’s ecological integrity”, Ali further assured that the agency would also be aligning itself with the Islamabad Traffic Police to promote green and eco-friendly transport.